2009 PROPOSED CLASS SCHEDULE
The new 2009 schedule is posted. This does not affect the Little Dragons programs, only the Shotokan students. We will combine the Tue/Sat group with the M/W group and split the group into an absolute beginners class (white through orange belts right now based on class population sizes) and a class for higher ranks (everybody else). Classes will run Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. See the new schedule. Saturday morning will be reserved for fitness, mat work, and sparring so students can be better prepared to bring in their safety equipment (mouth guards, atheletic cups, sparring gear). Our sparring gear is wearing out. Get your own. Karate-Mart.com still has the $40 deal. We have a large unfunded requirement for sparring gear and storage boxes with the YMCA. Fingers crossed we get some new gear.

Any parents out there with martial arts experience that can lend a hand? Looking for adult instructor with wrestling, boxing, or other fighting experience from martial arts or military training in H2H with knowledge of throws, joint locks, and control techniques. Opportunity for part time job. Please see Jason, O'Fallon YMCA Sports Department.

UNIFORM ANNOUNCEMENT

Class	Uniform & Safety Equipment
Little Dragons	Students will wear plain gi tops in white for Little Dragons. Gi tops: No patches, no print screens; small manufacturer's logo is OK. Also acceptable: Drawstring Sports Pants (no zippers or buttons) & any color YMCA T-shirt. All T-shirts must be tucked into pants.
Shotokan	Black karate uniform and plain, short or long sleeve, T-shirt in any of the following colors: black, desert tan, khaki green, gray, white, or green camo Gi Tops: No patches, no print screen; small manufacturer's logo is OK. Also acceptable: Loose fitting black gi pants or drawstring sports pants. All T-shirts must be tucked into pants.
Saturday Morning	Karate Fitness Class: Running shoes, drawstring sports pants & T-shirt, dress for outdoor running or soccer: hats, gloves, thermal wear as appropriate. Adults may log time and distance on the indoor aerobic machines meeting the same expectations as the outdoor runners. Grappling Class: Sturdy shirt recommended for grappling (Gi Top or equivalent). T-shirts must be tucked into pants; mouth guard (all), & athletic cup (boys); no jewelry Sparring: Sparring gear, mouth guard (all), & athletic cup (boys); no jewelry

Acceptable for Shotokan Class:

STANDARDIZATION:
All katas are available for viewing on this web site. When in doubt, please ask the adult instructor. Reference books are also available detailing each form. Karate branched off in multiple directions and various changes occured to these forms. You may see a variety of ways to do each kata and wonder which is correct. Use the videos, the Funakoshi master text (Karate-Do Kyohan), and the Sahota karate handbook. Highly recommend everyone (green belts and higher) get the Sahota Shotokan Karate Handbook (better pictures) and if you have some money left over from that, get the Funakoshi text. This is a class and the textbook & videos will help you out considerably. Use these resources.

SPARRING GEAR:
Shotokan Students:
Buy your own sparring gear. Karate-Mart.com has continued their $40 deal for the Impact Gear full sparring set.
Label all your gear with a Sharpie marker.
Repair your gear with Shoe Goo.

NUNCHAKU!
A collection of nunchaku videos are now posted in the Kobudo section of this site. Check it out. Blue foam nunchakus are in class for checkout at the Y during class times. You must be in the classroom to use them.

WEB BROWSER BLOCKED CONTENT WARNING:
This site links up to YouTube videos. While trying to view the Karate or Kung Fu sections, if your browser restricts ActiveX controls, you can manually allow it by clicking on the warning strip on Internet Explorer and allow content. This will allow the videos to display under each title block.

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Revised 1 Jan 2009